India's Manu Sawhney named new ICC chief
Last updated on: 15 January,2019 10:32 pm
Sawhney said it was a "great privilege" to serve the global cricket community.
NEW DELHI (AFP) - The International Cricket Council on Tuesday named Manu Sawhney its new chief executive officer to replace David Richardson, who will step down after the World Cup in July.
The 52-year-old Indian will join ICC from next month before formally taking over the reins later this year from Richardson, a former South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman.
Sawhney, a former chief executive of Singapore Sports Hub and managing director of ESPN Star Sports, is also a non-executive director and member of the audit committee of Manchester United Limited.
ICC chairman Shashank Manohar ratified Sawhney s appointment after consulting with the nominations committee.
"I am delighted to confirm Manu s appointment today," Manohar said in a statement.
"He brings 22 years of outstanding commercial experience to the ICC and will lead the delivery of our new global growth strategy for the game."
"Our search produced a host of excellent candidates from around the world, but Manu stood out as the man to work with our Members and take cricket forward.
"He has proven success in a number of leadership roles in both sport and broadcasting. He is a strategic thinker and understands the cricket landscape and its complexities."
Sawhney said it was a "great privilege" to serve the global cricket community.
"The sport has more than a billion fans and an ambitious growth strategy so it is a very exciting time to lead the organization," he said.
Richardson joined the sport s world governing body as general manager of cricket operations, and was promoted to chief executive in 2012 after South Africa s Haroon Lorgat quit.